4.6 Golen Engine Swap Preparation

Wildman said:
Are you sure you won't want to go with 4.56 gears? Since you pull a trailer even with the stroker I'd think that little bit of extra eumph would be nice and when off-road would give you just a little more control. Play around with the GrimmJeeper gearing calculator. I always like to over gear a little.
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The thought of needing to replace the Truetracs I put in there a couple years ago pains me. My 30/44 combo means I'd need new carriers when I get deeper than 4.11. The LSDs run somewhere near $1k for the pair. Plus I'm not certain I'm going to make the jump to 33s.

The trailer only weighs about 1000# and my Jeep "manages" it currently. I can't maintain highway speed uphill at anything less than 3250 RPM. It should be much better with the extra power and torque, no?
 
GPK03X said:
No need to replace Truetracs as has been explained to you. It would be a waste of money to REGEAR to 4.11 from 3.73
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You're right. Then I will certainly wait until when/if I switch to 33s for any regearing. 4.56 with a stroker on 31s sounds like a good way to break things.
 
I ran 4.56 with the 5 speed and 31’s for a while and it was fun! It’s not a daily driver so that makes a difference. I’m now on 32’s and I think it’s perfect gearing. Others see it differently and that’s ok.
 
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YonderNorthwest said:
You're right. Then I will certainly wait until when/if I switch to 33s for any regearing. 4.56 with a stroker on 31s sounds like a good way to break things.
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As has been said before you can now you can get the thick gears so you wouldn't need to change carriers. And as others have said I'd wait to make any decisions on gearing until after you get the new engine. Drive it for a while and get it broke in and have some seat time. Then if you decide to go to 32" or 33" tires again drive it with your current gearing. But do make sure to come back here and get recommendations from other before choosing what ratio to go with. There are a lot of folks who can offer some 1st hand experience.
I had a 4 cyl so my experience wouldn't apply to your setup. I now have a Dodge 5.9 V-8 with a stroker kit making it a 6.7 so I really can't offer any 1st hand comparison.
 
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Absolutely agree. While I know 4.11s/5 speed/stroker is perfect for the street, 3.73s isn't that much difference and might be acceptable. I doubt 4.11s from 3.73s would be worth the money to regear to. Plus consider your current TruTracs, while certainly not lockers, are not terrible on the trail unless you lift a tire. Not near as useless as many on here like to make them out to be.

Drive it a bit, see how it is, and if anything, I'd go 4.55s/4.88s or don't change them at all. You won't need those revs at 80 on the highway on 33s, but it won't hurt anything other than a tiny bit of mpg, and it might be enough for 35s with the stroker. Again though, this is aimed at street driving. No amount of power is going to help you crawl slow and controlled in the rocks.
 
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Wildman said:
OK... Got to try and keep it somewhat level playing field.. I've got 5.13's but with an auto my final crawl ratio is only in the 60's. You combined is about 7.40:1 with the two 2.72 ratios combined.

I had a Samurai that was in the 100:1 range and it was fun to hope out and walk along beside.
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Yup and I have 5.38s
 
YonderNorthwest said:
Really good info. Given that mine is a daily, I think gearing to 4.11 now and then 33s when these tires wear out will suit my needs nicely. It sounds like both of you are hitting more technical trails than me, and the deficiencies you've found in this gearing offroad may not be applicable to my use case.
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I use my TJ much the same as you..
Daily driver. Lots of highway. Long highway runs to get to trailheads. Mild dirt, lots of sand, loose rock, some boulders but nothing technical.

4.0l, 4.56, TrueTrac LSD 33's & 5 speed

Zero complaints. Contemplated 4.88's but knew I wouldn't be going to 35's.

Been lusting for a stroker for years but the 4.0 is still running strong and healthy at 97k
 
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MikekiM said:
I use my TJ much the same as you..
Daily driver. Lots of highway. Long highway runs to get to trailheads. Mild dirt, lots of sand, loose rock, some boulders but nothing technical.

4.0l, 4.56, TrueTrac LSD 33's & 5 speed

Zero complaints. Contemplated 4.88's but knew I wouldn't be going to 35's.

Been lusting for a stroker for years but the 4.0 is still running strong and healthy at 97k
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I started driving mine at 94k. If yours is anything like mine, you won't start running into headaches until you hit the 200k mark.

Thanks for sharing your experience
 
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Picked up the jeep with new motor and clutch yesterday. With just a few hours of seat time I have a few observations:
- Power increase is definitely noticeable but she's still not a racecar. I'd say it feels like the jeep is lighter than it was before.
- 1st gear actually feels worse than it did before the engine and clutch work. I'm having to ride the clutch a fair amount to get off of the line.
- Should have used the Luk throw-out bearing that came with the kit. The National bearing I had put in there instead is faulty. Pretty noisy rattle when in neutral that developed halfway home from the mechanic.
- I have a 5th gear again!
- I think 33s and 4.56 gears are on the horizon...

Thank you to everyone for all of the advice on gearing and parts replacement.
 
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